Description: Merlin Checking Its Surroundings by Debra Martz As it was finishing the prey it had caught, it stopped briefly to look around its surroundings. It continued with its meal and I continued on my way. Captured at Oklahoma's Great Salt Plains State Park on a winter day. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20250203-DSC_3549
Description: Greater Roadrunner Winter Profile by Debra Martz One reason birds fluff up their feathers is to stay warm in the winter. This traps air between their body and feathers acting as insulation. The more trapped air, the warmer the bird. We are seeing a few more Roadrunners in northern Oklahoma this winter, 2024/25. They all but disappeared from the area after the icy, freezing weather of winter 2021. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 202520180126-DSC_5989
Description: White Pelican Drying Its Wings by Debra Martz While all the others departed, this American White Pelican was quite satisfied to stay where it was to preen, splash its wings, and soak up some sunshine. I had the privilege to watch it for several minutes before it too flew away. Captured this image from the shore of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River where it flows through the Great Salt Plains State Park of Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: White Pelican Relaxing In The Morning Light by Debra Martz While all the others departed, this American White Pelican was quite satisfied to stay where it was to preen, splash its wings, and soak up some sunshine. I had the privilege to watch it for several minutes before it too flew away. Captured this image from the shore of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River where it flows through the Great Salt Plains State Park of Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Walking On Thin Ice by Debra Martz It was rather amusing, to me at least, to watch the ducks on the marshes in the refuge as they tried to figure out if it was a place to swim or to walk. I watched the front Gadwal as it was swimming but when it came to the thin ice it would bump it a few times and then finally, and ever so slowly, lift its webbed foot and step upon the top. He would walk for a while and then, just as suddenly, he would be swimming again. Captured in Oklahoma's Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Same Thing For Breakfast Again by Debra Martz Red-tailed Hawks are plentiful here in Oklahoma and many of the poles/posts along the countryside have one perched on it. The expression of this one, looking at its morning catch, gave me the impression that it would have rather had something different or new to feast on. Captured near Oklahoma's Salt Plains NWR. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
Description: Moon Over The Old Green House by Debra Martz Over the last 5-51/2 years, I have stopped to photograph this house almost every visit to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge and get something a little different each time. Today the moon was in the afternoon sky and just two days from being a full moon on January 13th. MY SIL sent me this poem which very much applies to me and this house: "The House with Nobody In It" by Joyce Kilmer Whenever I walk to Suffern along the Erie track I go by a poor old farmhouse with its shingles broken and black. I suppose I've passed it a hundred times, but I always stop for a minute And look at the house, the tragic house, the house with nobody in it.
Description: Hawk Scanning For Prey by Debra Martz Captured this image in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near the towns of Jet and Cherokee, Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2025-01-27-DSC_3335-Edit.tif Red-Shouldered Hawk Scanning For Prey
Description: Early Morning Robin by Debra Martz Captured on the north side of the spillway in Oklahoma's Great Salt Plains State Park near the towns of Jet and Cherokee. As you exit the parking area, there's a campsite on the right. I always pause there if it's unoccupied because numerous songbirds often gather in that spot. This time, an American Robin perched perfectly in the light. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20250127-DSC_3332
Description: Common Merganser On the Move by Debra Martz This guy found some of the water at the lake that was not frozen. There were probably close to 100 Common Mergansers, male and female, on this cold morning. But I was trying to single out one for a photograph and thought I had lost this one when it dove underwater. Then to my surprise, it resurfaced and glided closer to me. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2025-01-27-DSC_3226
Description: Showing Off Its Fan Tail by Debra Martz There are two large but dead trees at the edge of the lake near the cabins and my bird-watching at the state park always includes at least one stop to see if a Bald Eagle might be perched there. But on this day, my bird of prey search allowed me to view a much smaller bird, the Merlin, a type of Falcon. I was thrilled at this sighting, especially when it fanned its tail so beautifully! Image captured at Oklahoma's Great Salt Plains State Park. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20250111-DSC_0981
Description: Sunny Winter Day At The Lake by Debra Martz It had been two days since the snow fell in northern Oklahoma. With the sun shining bright, the roads were clear enough to go out driving to see the winter beauty. However, the sunshine was not enough to thaw the frozen lake beyond the tree line. The area that appears like a river is where the water flows to the lake's spillway which is the deepest part and therefore is not frozen. Captured at the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma near Jet and Cherokee. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20250111-DSC_3185
Description: Sunshine On A Winter Day At the Lake by Debra Martz It had been two days since the snow fell in northern Oklahoma. With the sun shining bright, the roads were clear enough to go out driving to see the winter beauty. However, the sunshine was not enough to thaw the frozen lake beyond the tree line. Captured at the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Landscapes and Landmarks" 20250111-DSC_3168
Description: One Very Focused Hawk by Debra Martz After two days of snow, we needed to get outside. The choice was to get in the pickup and drive with no certain place in mind. I don't even remember where in Oklahoma we were when I spotted this hawk ahead of us. With no vehicles behind us, we were able to slow down and move over to the side of the road. I rolled down my window when we came to a stop and snapped off a few pics. The hawk didn't budge so we slowly rolled onward until we were adjacent to it and I was more than pleased to get several good closeups of this Red-tailed Hawk with an intense stare. Maybe it was focused on some prey below it because it did not budge.
Description: Too Cold To Move by Debra Martz Two days after snowing, we decided to get out of the house and go driving the backroads and smaller highways for something to do. It was still too cold to get out and bird-watch on some trails. But, I did see some birds regardless. The biggest surprise was seeing a covey of Bobwhite Quail as they have been rather scarce for past years. While the covey moved through the tail grass, I noticed this one sitting ever so still appearing not to want to give up its warm spot it had made. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2025-01-11-DSC_0918
Description: Every Tree Needs A Planter by Debra Martz After two days of snow, we needed to get outside. The choice was to get in the pickup and drive with no certain place in mind. This was one on a section of Highway 45 that we had never driven, and just east of Carmen, Oklahoma. For no known reason, I love old and abandoned places whether it be houses or barns, and now that includes old silos! This one struck me as odd to have a single large tree that has obviously grown for years inside this silo. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20250111-DSC_0938
Description: This Old Barn by Debra Martz Two days after a heavy snow, we needed to get outside. The choice was to get in the pickup and drive with no certain place in mind. This was one of the first stops we made about 35 minutes after hitting the road. For no known reason, I love old and abandoned places whether it be houses or barns. This barn had a great character in how it leaned with broken planks and stood out on an open winter landscape. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Architecture Buildings Window Doors" 20250111-DSC_3153
Description: Spread Your Wings And Fly by Debra Martz Two days after much snow, we decided to go driving the backroads and smaller highways. There were so many hawks on poles, signs, and trees. With no traffic, we had the opportunity to stop on the side of the road and watch this Red-tailed Hawk as it flew from one perching place to the next. Captured this image somewhere along Highway 11 in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241230-DSC_3101
Description: Northern Pintail Drifting On The Marsh by Debra Martz This Northern Pintail seemed to be enjoying the quiet of this spot as it drifted across the marsh and sometimes tipped over like a dabbler in search of aquatic food. Its head still shows signs of the previous dip it made with droplets of water beaded on its feathers. Seen at Intermediate Marsh along the gravel drive through Oklahoma's Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241230-DSC_3099
Description: Away She Flew In A Splash by Debra Martz She wasn't the only one to fly away. Several others that were nearby had flown off in a large group. Mr. Mallard was pretty quick to follow her lead. Seen at Intermediate Marsh along the gravel drive through Oklahoma's Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241230-DSC_3062
Description: Great Blue Heron Stole My Attention by Debra Martz I was focusing on a smaller bird deep in the limbs and waiting for it to move to an outer branch, but this Heron flew right in front of my lens. The morning light, giving it a nice glow, quickly caught my attention. Seen while walking the Eagle Roost Trail in Oklahoma's Salt Plains NWR. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241230-DSC_3053
Description: Northern Flicker In The Treetop by Debra Martz There are two sub-species, yellow-shafted and red-shafted. When in flight the wings and tail will flash either yellow or red. The black whiskers and red nape also help ID this is a yellow-shafted male. Seen while bird watching along the Eagle Roost Trail in the Salt Plains NWR in Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241230-DSC_3053
Description: Ruby Crowned Kinglet Touch and Go by Debra Martz This little Ruby-crowned Kinglet landed just to my left and quickly flitted over to the next plant. I luckily got a quick shot off and it was on to the next plant and then out of sight in a few seconds. Photographed while walking the Eagle Roost Trail in Oklahoma's Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241230-DSC_3049
Description: Tall Feathery Golden Grass by Debra Martz This is just some of the beauty of the vegetation on the Eagle Roost Trail during winter. The Eagle Roost Trail is located in Oklahoma's Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20241230-DSC_3004-Edit.tif
Description: Foggy Morning Walk On Eagle Roost Trail by Debra Martz The sun had been up a little over an hour and was creating a glow on the golden vegetation. But across the pond, it wasn't strong enough to burn off all the fog of the morning. This trail is in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma and has several ponds and marsh areas along the walk. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved 20241230-DSC_3000.NEF
Description: Cranes Going Left Geese Going Right by Debra Martz I was looking through the slots in the bird blind, and when I turned to the right, I saw a large flock of geese rising from the tall grasses. As I followed them to the sky, I focused on the mix of Canada and Cackling Geese, only to have a flock of Sandhills fly in front of them! This was a surprise shot for me! The fog and haze of the morning along with the rising sun colored the sky in subdued tones. Image taken from the blind on the Eagle Roost Trail of the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 2024-12-30-DSC_2987
Description: Sedge Of Sandhills On A Hazy Morning by Debra Martz Well, every day cannot be beautiful blue skies; some mornings are foggy and hazy like this. But the purpose of being up before sunrise was to see as many Sandhills as possible as they depart in large masses. But the heavy fog slowed our arrival and the majority had already taken to the skies. But later was able to catch smaller flocks departing. A group of sandhill cranes is called a sedge, siege, construction, dance, or swoop. The term "sedge" comes from the grassy or marshy habitats that cranes frequent. So I chose sedge because it goes perfectly with the place they are seen here. Image captured at Sand Bay Cove in Oklahoma's Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. ©Debra Martz
Description: Five Sandhill Cranes Morning Departure by Debra Martz The plan was to arrive before sunrise, but within miles of leaving home, we encountered heavy fog, doubling the time of our 45-mile drive to the refuge. The large masses of Sandhill Cranes had already departed, leaving us seeing many flocks and even smaller groups like this. Sandhill Cranes spend up to two months at the refuge during fall migration, growing in numbers in the tens of thousands before moving on south. Image captured from the bird blind on the Eagle Roost Trail in Oklahoma's Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241230-DSC_2953
Description: Departing Flock of Sandhill Cranes by Debra Martz The plan was to arrive before sunrise, but within miles of leaving home, we encountered heavy fog, which in turn doubled the time of our 45-mile drive to the refuge. The large masses of Sandhill Cranes had already departed, leaving us seeing many flocks in smaller groups like this. Sandhill Cranes spend up to two months at the refuge during fall migration, growing in numbers in the tens of thousands before moving on south. Image captured from the bird blind on the Eagle Roost Trail in Oklahoma's Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241230-DSC_2933
Description: Nuthatch Moving All Around The Tree Trunk by Debra Martz The White-breasted Nuthatch might be a small bird but it has a loud song/call. I heard it and stopped in my tracks looking at the nearest tree trunks. They are active, agile little birds that move up, down, and all around tree trunks in search of insects for which they have an appetite. They also like meaty "nuts" that they whack with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed, thus their name Nuthatch. Captured along the Casey Tower Trail in the Salt Plains NWR in Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends: 20241210-DSC_2823
Description: Nuthatch Moving Up The Tree Trunk by Debra Martz The White-breasted Nuthatch might be a small bird but it has a loud song/call. I heard it and stopped in my tracks looking at the nearest tree trunks. They are active, agile little birds that move up, down, and all around tree trunks in search of insects for which they have an appetite. They also like meaty "nuts" that they whack with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed, thus their name Nuthatch. Captured along the Casey Tower Trail in the Salt Plains NWR in Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends: 20241210-DSC_2819
Description: Nuthatch Moving Down The Tree Trunk by Debra Martz The White-breasted Nuthatch might be a small bird but it has a loud song/call. I heard it and stopped in my tracks looking at the nearest tree trunks. They are active, agile little birds that move up, down, and all around tree trunks in search of insects for which they have an appetite. Captured along the Casey Tower Trail in the Salt Plains NWR in Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends: 20241210-DSC_2818
Description: Seagull Soaring Low by Debra Martz There were hundreds of seagulls on the bay this early morning, most at the shoreline near the bird blind. I spotted this Ringed-bill Gull as it was nearing thinking it was going to land with all the others but it just soared on by just above the water. Those rows of softly blurred "dots" are a variety of ducks on the water. Image captured at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma on a winter morning. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241210-DSC_2779
Description: Make Room For Me by Debra Martz It was about 30 minutes after sunrise, and more and more seagulls were arriving at the refuge. It seemed this was the spot to be as another Ring-billed Gull squeezed in with the others. Image captured at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma on a winter morning. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241210-DSC_2751
Description: Follow The Leader On The River by Debra Martz It was November 11th and there were still a few American White Pelicans hanging around while most of the fall migrating birds had gone south. This group was on the Salt Fork Of Arkansas River going against the current back toward the spillway. Image captured at the Great Salt Plains Lake/State Park in northern Oklahoma. ©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved In My Gallery/Collection: "Feathered Friends" 20241111-DSC_2391
Description: Autumn Tree Of Love by Debra Martz After almost 5 years of driving the auto tour gravel road through the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted this tree during the winter when it was bare of leaves. I had driven by it many times during previous winters but had never noticed the heart shape. So this year, almost a year later, knowing where it was, I started looking for it each time we drove through while bird watching during Autumn as the leaves began to drop. Turns out that I kept missing it because I did not know exactly where it was after all but now, after finally seeing it again, I really do know where it is along the gravel road through the marshland area. Photo Art created in Topaz Studio
